[EXCLUSIVE] "If Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan are willing to change their style of play, they should play T20Is": Imad Wasim

[Ball Blazer]

In our latest exclusive interview conducted by Saj Sadiq, Imad Wasim, Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy hero and T20 specialist (75 international caps), delivers explosive insights on Pakistan cricket's new era. Fresh off PSL X, the Islamabad United star doesn't hold back on controversies, team dynamics, and the revolution under Mike Hesson.

Summary of topics discussed:

Islamabad United's PSL Performance: Imad Wasim discusses Islamabad United's performance in the PSL, noting their strong start and subsequent collapse due to injuries and not playing to their full potential

Advice for Young Players: He offers advice to young cricketers like Naseem Shah, acknowledging that even talented players can have off-color performances. He also advises Azam Khan to focus on fitness and mental game, emphasizing that one bad season doesn't define a player

Player Availability in Franchise Cricket: Wasim touches on Alex Hales's brief stint with Islamabad United, explaining that in franchise cricket, players are often available for limited periods, and their value is recognized even for short contributions

Dynamics of Leadership: He discusses the relationship between Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha, noting that while one is the national team captain and the other the vice-captain, they focus on their roles and aren't bothered by media narratives

Salman Ali Agha's Leadership: Wasim praises Salman Ali Agha, calling him one of the most underrated cricketers in Pakistan and highlighting his potential to change the course of Pakistan cricket due to his understanding of the game and player management skills

Mike Hesson's Coaching Approach: He talks about Mike Hesson as the national team head coach, appreciating his clear and demanding approach to changing Pakistan's cricket culture towards a more aggressive and attacking style

Pakistan's Playing Style: Wasim strongly advocates for Pakistan to adopt a more attacking and aggressive style of T20 cricket, emphasizing that players who don't buy into this approach shouldn't be selected, regardless of their reputation

Thoughts on Senior Players: He addresses the situation of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, suggesting they need to adapt their T20 playing style to align with the team's new attacking approach, while acknowledging their strong performances in other formats

Importance of Spinners: Wasim suggests the need for a finger spinner, particularly a left-arm spinner, in the team to provide a defensive bowling option alongside the existing leg-spinners

Retirement and Future Plans: He reiterates his retirement from international cricket and expresses his desire to enjoy playing in T20 leagues like the CPL

Domestic Cricket Rule: Wasim agrees with the PCB's decision for international players to participate in at least one domestic competition, viewing it as a way to support domestic cricket

Clarification on Sikandar Raza Comments: He clarifies his previous comments about Sikandar Raza, explaining that his remarks about players going where they are paid well were taken out of context.

He intended to highlight the professionalism and commitment of players who travel extensively for various leagues, emphasizing the short and tough nature of a cricketer's life.

Watch the full interview at:

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I haven't watched the interview yet but based on the transcript don't think there is anything wrong with what he has said.

I found this part funny.

"Wasim suggests the need for a finger spinner, particularly a left-arm spinner, in the team to provide a defensive bowling option alongside the existing leg-spinners"

 

[Asad T]

I haven't watched the interview yet but based on the transcript don't think there is anything wrong with what he has said.

I found this part funny.

"Wasim suggests the need for a finger spinner, particularly a left-arm spinner, in the team to provide a defensive bowling option alongside the existing leg-spinners"

Maybe he's talking about Mohammad Nawaz loll

 

[Sarmad]

I haven't watched the interview yet but based on the transcript don't think there is anything wrong with what he has said.

I found this part funny.

"Wasim suggests the need for a finger spinner, particularly a left-arm spinner, in the team to provide a defensive bowling option alongside the existing leg-spinners"

Very funny.

 

[hafizexpress]

Maybe he's talking about Mohammad Nawaz loll

Nawaz was the reason Imad was out for a whole 2 years smh

 

[BouncerGuy]

I think babar and riz should not play t20 until they prove their worth for that format by playing domestic and their game should be changed according to modern day.

 

[mango_bite77]

Irrespective of their playing style, they shouldn't play international t20. Infact should retire gracefully. With their limited skills in their format, they did well to some extent. Now should call it a day and invest energy in serving longer format.

 

[Sarmad]

Both are bot t20 type players. By the time we become able to play entire 20 overs, I think babar should play . Just a thought

 

[BouncerGuy]

sad to see no imad in BBL but rizbabar getting selected with such an approcah.

 

[Major]

Well what did he do against India in USA? Its easy to talk about others first look at yourself. Did you adapt? Like Axar Patil kind of spinners were difficult for you to hit against.

Even United stop sending him to bat aswell.

A defensive left arm spinner bowler makes sense, but will never be possible in the Pakistani market. Our selectors judge bowlers on the basis of wickets and not economy, which is why the bowler gets dropped and is pressurized to take wickets one way or another.

Daniel Vettori was just added in the ICC Hall of Fame just recently. Had he been a Pakistani, he would had never played more than 60 matches and would had been a career wasted. One of the reasons for success for NZ in recent years has been a guy a called Mitchell Santner that also bowls left arm spin and has down really well in limited overs cricket.

For these things to incoporate you need a coach, director and a selector that are all on the same page and doesnt bog down to fans and media pressure and a Chairman also who doesnt care about media and minds his own business. With guys like Naqvi in power or Zaka Ashraf that get affected personally by any negative media report, such things can never be bought in.

 

[Mamoon]

They should play modern cricket like Imad’s 15 (23) vs India?

 

[Asad T]

Imad's performance vs. India in the T20 WC and his thoughts on Riz-Bar are 2 different topics. Even Imad, from what he said in the interview, never advocated for his international comeback. He knows that his international days are over.

Riz-Bar, on the other hand, need to accept the fact that a sr of 125 is way too slow

 

[Major]

Imad's performance vs. India in the T20 WC and his thoughts on Riz-Bar are 2 different topics. Even Imad, from what he said in the interview, never advocated for his international comeback. He knows that his international days are over.

Riz-Bar, on the other hand, need to accept the fact that a sr of 125 is way too slow

naa, Imad said he was the best all rounder during that T20 WC, now he is trying to hide after he lost us that game against India

 

[Ball Blazer]

I don't support Imad's back to back statements against them. But...
He is right
The two no longer fit in t20 format.

 

[mominsaigol]

naa, Imad said he was the best all rounder during that T20 WC, now he is trying to hide after he lost us that game against India

Just cause Imad is wrong about himself doesnt mean he is wrong about ba/riz.

Babar and rizwan would never get any hate if they stuck to Odi, Test and T20 League cricket.

But they dont belong in T20 international cricket.

Theirs a reason the likes of sachin, Dravid and many others decided against playing t20 cricket. They would not have been able to adjust and they were traditional cricketers.

Even during Under 19 days babar batted with a pretty slow strike rate yet at the time he and sami aslam were the best upcoming talents. Ignoring Aslam running away, it was clear that these 2 just weren't built for t20 and were always going to be odi and test cricketers.

Their isnt anything wrong with that. The Steve Smith and Joe root t20 experiment didnt work yet they play league cricket and dont mind being out of international although root has stepped away which explains his rise in test cricket.

 

[Rana]

naa, Imad said he was the best all rounder during that T20 WC, now he is trying to hide after he lost us that game against India

No he’s not.

Imad was the first to openly bench Rizwan to make sure he doesn’t upset team harmony, and it was the right decision back then.

It’s the right decision even now.

Only player like Misbah sees Rizwan as a T20 batsman.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Atm, babar and riz are nowhere near the team so all is well. Current Pakistan team is set for few more series as well and we might see almost the same squad playing asia cup...

 

[mominsaigol]

Atm, babar and riz are nowhere near the team so all is well. Current Pakistan team is set for few more series as well and we might see almost the same squad playing asia cup...

All it took was for ba/riz to vanish and I became a fan and supporter of every Pakistani poster on PP as well as a supporter of the Pakistan cricket team.

Now was that so hard? This is best for cricket. Babar should play odi and test though with rizzu only test.

But rizzu needs to either stop playing odi or realise no 4 is not his spot.

Coming back to t20, actually lets not come back to t20. Ba/riz chapter needs to stay closed.